Manufacturer names new CEO

SARASOTA — Power wheelchair and stair lift manufacturer Harmar Mobility named Steven Dawson president and CEO.

Dawson was also appointed to the Sarasota-based firm's board of directors, according to a statement. Dawson, a CPA, was most recently a vice president and general manager at PGT Industries, a Venice-based impact resistant window and door manufacturer, where he ran the firm's CGI division. He has held executive positions in finance, sales and marketing with other companies, the release adds.

The Cortec Group, a New York-based middle market private equity firm that is Harmar's controlling shareholder, announced the leadership change. Previous CEOs of the company include Chad Williams, who founded the company in 1998, and Drew McCartney, a health care executive named CEO in 2014.

The Cortec Group has a portfolio of more than a dozen companies, including Yeti Coolers. It also had an ownership stake in CGI Windows and Doors, which PGT acquired in 2014.

“We are excited that we were able to recruit Steve to lead Harmar,” says Jeffrey Lipsitz, managing partner at Cortec Group, in the release. “We had worked with Steve on another investment that was very successful and were impressed with his focus, high energy and ability to lead and develop teams.

The list of products Harmar manufactures includes auto lifts to transport scooters, power wheelchairs and vertical platform lifts and stair lifts used in commercial and residential applications. Harmar also has an ownership stake in 101 Mobility LLC, a nationwide franchisor and operator of mobility and accessibility dealers.

“It is an honor to join Harmar, a company with a proud history of designing and manufacturing products to improve the lives of those with mobility and accessibility issues,” says Dawson in the statement. “With strong market demographics and Harmar's industry leading product offering, we are very well positioned to take this business to the next level.”